David Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council has shared a message of hope with people in our county including Hitchin.

Read on as councillor Williams pays thanks to the NHS and people across Herts in what was a difficult 2020, while he looks with positivity to the future.

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Christmas and the New Year is usually a time of joy and celebration with friends and family. But for many, the recent festive period will have been very different, with the impact of the Covid pandemic still being felt widely across our communities.

2020 was a year like no other, and the challenges we all faced in the fight against the virus are too many to mention.

However, the true legacy of this extraordinary time is the resilience and unifying spirit demonstrated by individuals, communities and businesses across the county.

I'm immensely proud of all those who have helped in this momentous, and ongoing effort - whether it be as a frontline worker, a community volunteer, or by simply playing your part to stop the spread of the virus.

Thank you to each and every one of you.

As we look to the year ahead, we do so with a sense of hope for a return to normality and economic recovery for the county.

The roll out of the vaccine marks a significant step forward in the fight against Covid, and the county council is proud to be working closely with the NHS to deliver this important programme.

Throughout the next year our continued priority will be to deliver our core public services to the highest standard, as well as working to keep our residents safe and healthy and the county sustainable, prosperous and prepared for the future.

In addition, we remain committed to ensuring that our services represent the best opportunities and value for the funding we secure from local council taxpayers, business ratepayers and central government.

The county council has a track record of strong financial management and is well positioned to continue serving the needs of our residents in the year ahead.

Finally, the new year also brings a new challenge with the completion of Britain's exit from the EU.

I appreciate the uncertainty this brings may be a concern for many, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

However, I am confident that Hertfordshire County Council is well prepared and will do all it can to support Hertfordshire to remain as a county of opportunity, where residents, communities and businesses continue to thrive.

I wish everyone in Hertfordshire a happy 2021.

David Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council